1stly make sure all your drives are set to 'auto detect' in your bios. (you've probably already set this, but i'll say it just incase)

from what i remember, the higher speed IDE cabels are also master/slave specific. the 1st connection obviously being the motherbaord connecter. 2nd being the primary drive and the final connection going to the slave.

make sure the red cabel in on IDE lead is on the side facing the power lead. (so if the power lead plugs into your HDD on the left side of the IDE cabel, have the red stripe in the IDE cabel)

double check the jumpers on your HDD and optical drives are set to master or slave (its annouyingly easy to set them up wrong )

i've been out of the industry for years now so i hope all this is correct